Closure latch and container



July 30, 1968 M. E. LARKIN 3,394,838

CLOSURE LATCH AND CONTAINER Filed Nov. 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEVS M. E. LARKIN United States Patent 3,394,838 CLOSURE LAT H AND CONTAINER Mark E. Larkin, Bartlesville, 0kla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 595,394 9 Claims. (Cl. 22060) This invention relates to latching or fastening devices. In another aspect, this invention relates to fastening devices for containers. In another aspect, this invention relates to an improved container having an integral latching device.

Various types of fastening devices for containers, cabinets, fabrics, etc. are known in the art. The most common type of fastening device for containers and the like comprises a metal or plastic pawl mounted on a lid and adapted to engage a resilient spring member on the container wall in locked engagement. Another common type of fastening device comprises a resilient spring-like pawl mounted on the container lid and adapted to engage a fixed member mounted on a container wall. These fastening devices can be disengaged by merely applying force to the lid or door to thereby pull the pawl from locked engagement with the spring or fixed member mounted on the container wall.

The advantage of these fastening devices is that the fastening device becomes engaged merely by closing the receptacle lid. However, the disadvantage of these pushpull type fastening devices is that they can be easily disengaged when the container lid is subjected to unintended shock, such as accidental bumping or dropping.

Several fastening devices are known in the art that will accomplish the above-stated advantage without creating the above-stated disadvantage. However, these fastening devices normally have a latch or slide release that is externally mounted on the container lid or sidewall which is easily triggered by accidental forces.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a fastening device for containers that will engage or lock when the container lid is closed, but will not become unlocked merely by lifting force being applied to the container lid, and that has no releasing mechanism externally mounted on the container sidewall or lid.

Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide an improved closure latch for containers and the like. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved latching device for containers and the like that will come into locking engagement if two surfaces are brought together, but will not unlock by merely forcing the said surfaces apart. Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved latching device for containers and the like which has no externally protruding releasing devices or mechanisms mounted on the container. A further object of this invention is to provide a novel container having an integral latching device with the releasing mechanism of said integral latching device mounted in the lid thereof.

According to one embodiment of this invention, a fastening device for fastening two surfaces together is provided wherein one surface carries at least two resilient studs, each said stud having a flange inclined toward the leading end thereof and extending therefrom; the other surface carries a catch which will contact the inclined flanges and cause the resilient studs to bend in a direction fromthe inclined flanges and extend through the catch as the first and second surfaces are brought together. When the flanges are fully extended into the catch, the resilient studs will straighten and the flanges will lock with said catch. A release button is movably positioned adjacent the catch and has inclined surfaces which match with the inclined flanges on the studs. Thus, as the release button is forced against the inclined flanges, the studs 3,394,838 Patented July 30, 1968 will bend in a direction from the inclined flanges and cause the inclined flanges to unlock from the catch.

According to another embodiment of this invention, a container is provided having the above fasteningdevice wherein the resilient studs extend from the bottom of the container and the catch and movable push buttons are contained within depressions in the container lid adjacent the resilient studs. The sidewalls of the container adjacent the resilient studs are indented so that a portion of the top will overhang and be used to lift the container lid after the latch is unlocked.

This invention can be more easily understood by reference to the drawing in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container of this invention having integral latching devices. FIGURE 2 is a cross section of the preferred latching device of this invention. FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 3a is a variation of FIGURE 3. FIGURES 4 and 4a are sectional views of another embodiment of this invention. FIGURE 5 is a cross section illustrating a modification of the embodiment illustrated by FIGURE 2. FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 5. FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating the latching device of FIGURE 2 on a different mounting.

Now referring to the drawing, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container of this invention. The container of FIGURE 1 is a shallow, rectangular-shaped container suitable for holding reels of movie film, tools, and the like, and is preferably molded from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. If desired, this container can have a circular or semi-circular shape. Lid 18 is shown pivotably mounted on a sidewall 25. This mounting can be either an integral self-hinge or separate individual plastic or metal hinges connecting the said lid to the said sidewall. The container bottom 18a has two circular protrusions, each comprising resilient stud member 10 and 11, respectively. Thus, as lid 18 closes, depressions 17 containing captive push buttons 19 will fit over the two said rounded protrusions from container bottom 18a and become in locked engagement therewith to hold the lid 18 firmly in the closed position. Indentions 26 in front wall 24 are provided so that portions 23 of lid 18 will overlap front wall 24 when lid 18 is in the closed position. This will provide a means for lifting lid 18 after the latching devices have become disengaged by applying a downward force on captive push buttons 19.

FIGURE 2 shows a cross section of a latching device of the container of FIGURE 1. As illustrated, resilient stud members 10 and 11, having flanges 12 and 13, respectively, formed by the termination of inclined surfaces 14 and 15, respectively, rest upright on container bottom 18a. Studs 10 and 11 are shown as plastic material integral with base 18a that was formed during the molding of the container. In the locked position as shown, resilient stud members 10 and 11 protrude into opening 16 of depression 17 in container lid 18. Flanges 12 and 13 are held in locked engagement on the periphery of opening 16 by resilient stud members 10 and 11 in the upright position. Captive push button 19 is held within depression 17 by stops 20 in depression 17 and stops 21 on the periphery of captive push button 19. The top portion of captive push button 19 rests flush or slightly below the level of top 18, and captive push button 19 is vertically movable in recess 17 below stops 20 therein. Inclined surfaces 22 match with inclined surfaces 14 and 15 and slide thereon as captive push button 19 is depressed to thereby cause resilient studs 10 and 11 to come together and flanges 12 and 13 to be pulled from their locking position on the periphery of opening 16. Overlap 23 is provided whereby lid 18 can be lifted when flanges 12 and 13 are pulled from their locking position on the periphery of opening 16 as resilient studs and 11 are forced together by the downward action of captive push button 19.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2 to illustrate the locked engagement of flanges 12 and 13 on the periphery of opening 16. It must be noted that the flanges contact almost the entire periphery of opening 16 when in locked engagement to provide a very strong container latch that is not easily rupturable or broken as force is applied upward on lid 18. If desired, however, a series of studs can be provided with smaller flanges that lock on the periphery of opening 16, as illustrated in FIGURE 3a. This configuration is desired whenever the resilient studs are made of a metallic material and are separately mounted in bottom 16. However, as stated, it is desired that resilient stud members 10 and 11 be made of the same plastic material as the container base so that they can be molded in a one-step operation when the said container base is molded. The arrangement of the metallic stud members as shown in FIGURE 3a can be used in many heavy-duty type operations that would result in a great amount of wear on inclined surfaces 31. In this later instance, depression 17 can also be made of a metallic material or the entire container can be made of a metallic material.

FIGURES 4 and 4a illustrate the use of a resilient plastic or rubber insert and a metal split ring insert, respectively, between resilient stud members 10 and 11 to thereby add rigidity to said stud members needed for heavy-duty use of the molded plastic container. In FIGURE 4 insert 24 can be a disk of resilient material such as neoprene, polybutadiene, butadiene/ styrene rubber, ethylene/propylene rubber, or the like, and in FIGURE 4a split ring 25 can be a stainless steel split ring. Thus, when using the integral molded plastic container under heavy-duty conditions, resilient stud members 10 and 11 might tend to warp or permanently deform in the inward direction, but the use of the embodiments of FIGURES 4 and 4a combines the economy of integral molding plus the memory and strength of the rubber disk or steel ring to thereby provide the necessary resilience to stud members 10 and 11 in the said heavy-duty operation.

FIGURE 5 is another embodiment of this invention illustrating a different configuration of the latch of FIGURE 2. Resilient stud members 190 and it'll, having flanges and 130, respectively, which are formed by the termination of inclined surfaces 140 and 150, respectively, rest upright on the container bottom 181. Flanges 120 and lock on cross member 163a when container lid 180 is in closed position. As shown, resilient stud members 100 and 101 protrude through openings 160 in depression 170 on the container lid 180 in a similar fashion as the studs in FIGURE 2. Captive push button 190 is held within depression 170 by stops 200 in depression 170 and stops 210 on the periphery of captive push button 190. Inclined surfaces 220 match with inclined surfaces and and slide thereon as captive push button 196 is depressed to thereby cause resilient studs 100 and 101 to spread apart. In this arrangement, captive push button 190 will force resilient stud members 100 and 101 apart and out of locking engagement with cross member a as opposed to the opposite effect of push button 19 on studs 10 and 11 of FIGURE 2. For heavy-duty operations, a resilient spring means can be positioned around resilient stud members 100 and 101 to thereby increase their rigidity.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of FIGURE 5 taken along line 66 and illustrates the locking engagement of flanges 120 and 130 on cross member 169a. When inclined surfaces 220 of captive push button 190 are forced against inclined surfaces 140 and 150, resilient stud members 100 and 101 will spread until flange 120 and 130 lose contact with cross member 1601:. Then, as lid is uplifted, resilient stud members 100 and 101 will slide through rectangular openings 160 in depression 170.

FIGURE 7 is an illustration of the latching device of FIGURE 2 utilized on a container having a greater depth than the container illustrated in FIGURE 2. As illustrated, resilient studs 10 and 11 can merely be molded on a protrusion 27 extending from sidewall 24. When done in this manner, or in any manner similar thereto, the latching device of this invention can be used with a container having any type configuration.

From an examination of the above disclosure, it is obvious that the latching device of this invention can take many configurations and forms, and the specific embodiments disclosed are in no Way intended to limit the scope of this invention. For example, it can readily be seen that the fastening device of this invention can be used for fastening any two surfaces together, such as two fabric surfaces. The resilient studs can be bradded to one surface, and the depression, in the form of a cylinder having the captive push button therein, can be bradded to another surface to thereby form a locking snap-type fastener for fabrics and the like. Also, the container lid need not be pivotably mounted on a container sidewall but can be completely removable, and fastening devices can be positioned around the periphery thereof, such as in the corners of a rectangular top or the circumference of a circular top.

I claim:

1. A fastening device for fastening two surfaces together comprising:

(a) at least two adjacent resilient stud means extending from the first said surface, each said stud means having an inclined flange extending therefrom and inclined toward the leading end thereof;

(b) catch means carried by the second said surface and adjacent said resilient stud means so that said catch means will contact said inclined flanges and cause said resilient stud means to bend in a direction from said inclined flanges and extend through said catch means as said first and second surfaces are brought together, said catch means locking with said inclined flanges as said inclined flanges extend therethrough and as said resilient stud means straighten to thereby hold said first and second surfaces in closed relationship;

(c) a release means movably positioned adjacent said catch means, said release means having inclined surfaces positioned adjacent said inclined flanges to contact said inclined flanges and cause said reslient stud means to bend in a direction from said inclined flanges as said release means is forced against said inclined flanges and to thereby cause said inclined flange means and said catch means to unlock.

2. The fastening device of claim 1 further comprising lifting means for lifting said first surface from said second surface after said flange means and said catch means are unlocked.

3. The fastening device of claim 1 further comprising a resilient spring means positioned on said resilient stud means to thereby resist the bending motion of said stud means as said first and second surfaces are forced together.

4. The fastening device of claim 2 wherein said first surface is a container lid for a container and said second surface is the bottom of said container.

5. The fastening device of claim 4 whrein said catch means comprises a depression carried by said lid, said depression having at least one aperture through the lower portion thereof for receiving said resilient studs, the periphery of said apertures aligned so that a portion thereof will contact said inclined flanges on said resilient stud means, and will engage said flange means as said resilient studs straighten when said resilient stud means pass therethrough.

6. The fastening device of claim 5 wherein said release means comprises a push button held within said depression by locking ridges on said push button and said depression, said push button being movable axially within said depression.

7. The fastening device of claim 6 wherein said lifting means comprises a portion of said container top overlapping a sidewall adjacent said depression,

8. A container comprising in combination a bottom, said bottom having at least one pair of adjacent resilient stud means integral therewith and extending from one side thereof, each said stud means having an inclined flange extending therefrom and inclined toward the leading end thereof; a sidewall extending vertically therefrom and positioned in enclosed relationship around the sides of said bottom; a top pivotably mounted on a portion of the sidewall extending from a side of said bottom opposite the side having said resilient stud means, said top having depressions therein adjacent each pair of resilient stud means, said depressions having apertures through the lower portions thereof, the periphery of said apertures aligned so that a portion thereof will contact said inclined flanges and cause said resilient stud means to bend in a direction from said inclined flanges and extend through said apertures as said lid is closed, the periphery of said apertures locking with said inclined flanges as said inclined flanges extend through said apertures and said resilient stud means straighten; a release button held but movable axially within each said depression, said release button having inclined surfaces positioned adjacent said inclined flanges to contact said inclined flanges and cause said resilient stud means to bend in a direction from said inclined flanges as said release button is forced against said inclined flanges to thereby cause said inclined flanges to unlock with the periphery of said apertures; lifting means for opening said top after said inclined flange means are unlocked.

9. Container of claim 8 wherein said lifting means comprises portions of said top adjacent said depressions and the sidewalls adjacent said resilient stud means are indented to expose said portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,040,065 10/1912 Warner 24-110 3,037,616 6/1962 Phipps 2065 JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FASTENING DEVICE FOR FASTENING TWO SURFACES TOGETHER COMPRISING: (A) AT LEAST TWO ADJACENT RESILIENT STUD MEANS EXTENDIN FROM THE FIRST AND SURFACE, EACH SAID STUD MEANS HAVING AN INCLINED FLANGE EXTENDING THEREFROM AND INCLINED TOWARD THE LEADING END THEREOF; (B) CATCH MEANS CARRIED BY THE SECOND SAID SURFACE AND ADJACENT SAID RESILIENT STUD MEANS SO THAT SAID CATCH MEANS WILL CONTACT SAID INCLINED FLANGES AND CAUSE SAID RESILIENT STUD MEANS TO BEND IN A DIRECTION FROM SAID INCLINED FLANGES AND EXTEND THROUGH SAID CATCH MEANS AS SAID FIRST ANS SECOND SURFACES ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER, SAID CATCH MEANS LOCKING WITH SAID INCLINED FLANGES AS SAID INCLINED FLANGES EXTEND THERETHROUGH AND AS SAID RESILIENT STUD MEANS STRAIGHTEN TO THEREBY HOLD SAID FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES IN CLOSED RELATIONSHIP; (C) A RELEASE MEANS MOVABLY POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID CATCH MEANS, SAID RELEASE MEANS HAVING INCLINED SURFACES POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID INCLINED FLANGES TO CONTACT SAID INCLINED FLANGES AND CAUSE SAID RESLIENT STUD MEANS TO BEND IN A DIRECTION FROM SAID INCLINED FLANGES AS SAID RELEASE ME ANS IS FORCED AGAINST SAID INCLINED FLANGES AND TO THEREBY CAUSE SAID INCLINED FLANGE MEANS AND SAID CATCH MEANS TO UNLOCK. 